Category: Case Studies

Rig Tipover Case Study

A rig was in the middle of an operation when it suddenly tipped over. There was no sudden noise, no gust of wind to cause the tipover. Although one of the racking board guylines was not connected, our analysis showed that this was not a major factor in the tip over. So what happened? As […]

This is Nordic Calista Rig 4

We assisted the client to design the modular shop complex as seen below the rig. The complex contains offices, change rooms, a kitchen, washrooms, storage, and a work shop area for the workers on the rig to use as they go about their day. The work shop has sufficient room to park a Caterpillar Front […]

Case Study- ATV Fatality

Allan R. Nelson investigated an ATV fatality. Two workers near Innisfail were loading an ATV onto a truck using two ramps. The ramps were improperly secured, and the ATV rolled during the loading operation, fatally injuring the driver. We were able to demonstrate that the ramps were in poor condition, poorly labeled, and ill equipped […]

Rollover of Hydraulic Rig and Trailer

A truck was leaving a truck stop just outside of Edmonton, Alberta, carrying a hydraulic drilling rig. The truck had a jeep style trailer attached. As they exited the truck stop, a major component of the trailer carrying jeep failed. The trailer jackknifed around the truck, pulling the entire vehicle to the side of the […]

Pack-Off Failure Investigation

During drilling, a section of drill pipe unexpectedly failed. This pipe was a rental, and we were asked to determine what had happened. It was immediately clear to us that the failed end had been highly heated. It had deformed before it failed and separated. This indicated to us that this was a pack-off failure. […]

Biosensor on a Warship

A local company sold a sensor that detects biological weapons attacks. It was to be mounted on a Nato warship. The sensor was not designed to take acceleration forces. Warships are subject to many different kinds of vibrations; waves and water dynamics, irregular weather shocks, the potential for weapons attacks such as a missile hitting […]

Fiberglass Pipeline Failure

We were approached by one of our insurance clients to investigate the failure of a fiberglass pipeline. We initially suggested they contact someone else, as we did not have the expertise in the material, and someone who did would cost our client less. However, they contacted us again. No one they could find had the […]

Craneless Rig

We designed a 650,000 lbs craneless rig for our client. This rig is capable of rigging up entirely unassisted by cranes, reducing cost and time, and increasing efficiency. It raises with the use of multistage hydraulic cylinders. The entire rig up is performed with gin pole trucks, bed trucks and forklifts, making this a versatile […]

Investigation of a Restaurant Fire

Allan R. Nelson Engineering investigated a fire that took place in a restaurant, leading to extensive smoke damage to the structure. We were asked determine the reason for the significant spread of smoke damage. Our investigation determined that a cover had been left off the vent system. Extensive forensic examination was required to determine that […]

Residential Carbon Monoxide Fatality

We were asked to investigate a residential carbon monoxide fatality. The home owner had recently had a boiler installed in his acreage home, and the insurance company believed that the boiler was the source of the problem. We were able to review the installation of the boiler and compare it to CSA code CAN/CSA–B149.1-05. We […]